I love credit cards so much!

[amalone1013]

Whats the best way to Earn UR with Amazon? I have a CSR, FU, CIP. I thought the CIP earned 3x gift cards at Staples but it doesnt.

Unless you have a reason not to do this... I'd consider changing your CFU to a Freedom. Q3 category includes Walgreens, so you should be able to buy Amazon GCs there for 5x URs.

I got a CFU over Freedom originally last September, I did do a sign up so I got a signup bonus on it. So that was 15k plus 2500 URs for an AU. Then I used it for any non-category spend I had until mid-May, while we slowly got new cards (so sometimes non-category went towards MSR). But at 1.5% over 8.5mths, I earned 4031 URs. I sat here all jealous of mobile payments being part of Q1, and those who maxed them out sending money to their spouses for a fee with Paypal, etc. And again in Q2 I was jealous of Grocery plus Paypal... until I figured, why not just change my card? So I did, and maxed out Q2, earning 7921 URs - more than I did in 8.5mths! And I know I'll max Q3 too, so another 7500... I could have easily maxed Q1 also if I had changed earlier.

Just a thought! Every quarter so far this year would have had a way for you to buy Amazon GCs at a store and get 5x URs.

ETA: It was super easy to change mine too. 20 minute phone call, they had to read the terms over the phone for me to agree, and they activated the Q2 categories for me - it will retroactively apply to any purchases. And then I could immediately use my CFU as a Freedom until it came. My card number did not change.

 

[bernina]

So we just finished MSR on DH’s CSP/CSR double dip. He’s now at 2/24 (June 2018 application) and I think I’m at 0/24 since the only card in last 2 years is CIP (March 2018).

We primarily fly Delta or Spirit out of Detroit. United Miles are good for Europe (we love Lufthansa). Are there any good Amex business offers out there (am I right Amex business won’t count against 5/24)?

We take a few domestic flights each year to Florida, Atlanta and possibly California. Hawaii is in our 2 year plan (will need flights and 3-5 nights at a nice resort, rest will be at Aulani via DVC). Europe is always an option and saving for an ABD trip is on our bucket list.

 

[snugglebug]

I blame myself....whenever I start to get interested in in some aspect of churning,something happens and it dies....

I have that same luck. I'm watching all of these MR Amazon deals and really wanting to take part, I don't have any MR earning cards yet though. As soon as I get one, those deals will surely disappear.

 

[Albort]

I have that same luck. I'm watching all of these MR Amazon deals and really wanting to take part, I don't have any MR earning cards yet though. As soon as I get one, those deals will surely disappear.

no amex biz cards? the 10% off at staples/lowes works well with amazon gcs.

 

[jhoannam]

Late to the 20% off amazon gift card deal. Is there any way to buy gift cards from Amazon and then convert them to Disney Gift cards?

 

[jhoannam]

DP: Bought a Visa GC at Staples and received $10.60 credit from Amex.

 

[Haley R]

Yes. Different airlines release at different dates. Here is a decent guide.

https://www.pointhacks.com.au/when-do-award-calendars-open



I don’t believe the Chase Ink Preferred earns 3x at office supply stores. The Chase Ink Plus (no longer available) does earn 5x at office supply stores. The Chase Ink Cash also earns 5x at office supply stores. The CFU only earns 1.5.

Our strategy for earning tons of UR points ...

DH and I each have an Ink Plus which is no longer available but the Ink Cash would work too. We purchase gift cards at Staples and Office Depot/Max. The majority is Disney gift cards since the majority of our vacation spending is Disney. Between DVC dues, Disney cruise line, Adventures by Disney, annual passes and visits to WDW and DLR we can easily pull in 100,000 UR points or more each year. The goal is always to try and get 5x UR on everything we can.

I have a Chase Freedom and DH has two. We do our best to maximize the quarterly bonuses. When we do that gets 22,500 each quarter and 90,000 each year.

The CSR is used for travel and dining except for dining at WDW. Dining at Disney parks is paid with a Disney gift card that we earned 5x on by getting it from an office supply store.

CIP gets 3x via Plastiq for mortgages. Our mortgage is paid off so we have no FOMO on not having the CIP.



You’re welcome. That shouldn’t be a problem. I’d search for the exact flights that are $575 and then write down dates times and flight numbers. Then go through the Chase travel portal. If you don’t find then call up Chase UR travel, give them the flight numbers and dates and they can book it and you can pay with UR points.

If anyone else is considering this and you have the CSR you’d get the travel credit for $300 and that brings the price down to $275! Assuming you haven’t triggered the travel credit yet.

Okay thanks for the advice! Dh will get his 80,000 points on our next statement so we probably won’t have enoug points to book in time

 

[peel]

I can PC my CIP before DH's 20K referral bonus hits my account, right? My AF hit this week, and I don't think I'm jeopardizing my referral points, but I want to make sure.

 

[snugglebug]

no amex biz cards? the 10% off at staples/lowes works well with amazon gcs.

SPG Biz I do have. Staples is too far away, Lowes is being maxed out on home stuff right now. Toward the deadline I'll get start tossing in GCs. For now I'm just picking up Amazon GCs with my Freedom, last quarter at Whole Foods and this quarter at Walgreens. The use of one MR for 20% off would be nice, but just a little case of FOMO lol

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I can get 300 points a month, but usually get 600 or 1200.

I’ve never received any surveys..just looked and I’m subscribed to receive emails..

 

[Albort]

I can PC my CIP before DH's 20K referral bonus hits my account, right? My AF hit this week, and I don't think I'm jeopardizing my referral points, but I want to make sure.

i do recall you forfeit your bonus if you PC it...
id wait until it post. besides, u have 30 days after AF posting to cancel it for full AF refund.

 

[peel]

i do recall you forfeit your bonus if you PC it...
id wait until it post. besides, u have 30 days after AF posting to cancel it for full AF refund.

I'm glad I asked, thanks! See, even when I'm confident I know something, I'm wrong.
I hope it comes through in the next few weeks, then. It took almost a month to get a Freedom bonus when my cousin used my link.

ETA: Do you think I'm okay as long as it's listed under points I'll receive on my next statement? As long as it's showing up as pending I should be good to PC?

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

YAY! So happy to hear you are getting to go to the Faroe islands! Faroe islands have been on the bucket list since that cruise itinerary to Norway/Iceland changed. It is also our favorite cruise of the 18/19, dang I lost count again Disney cruises we've done. I would do that one again too. I had started to plan a long weekend there but quickly decided I needed more time so the trip is simmering in the background.

Thanks for the heads up about the lounge at SFO. Haven't tried United's Polaris but likely will some day.

I was unimpressed with the Singapore jammies after we received JAL jammies. Although, I do like them better than BA jammies of which we have way too many LOL

We did get to see Saint Micheal Skellig from a distance when we did an Ireland trip right before heading to the ABD Danube river cruise. But, it was rainy and I didn't get very good pictures. I hope you get better weather and a better view.

As for booking your flights with miles, just in case you don't know. Find out when your airline releases award space. Not just the day, but the exact time. A few days in advance of release, get online so you can see how many seats in what class get released on what days of the week because that can vary. Formulate a back up plan in case it doesn't pan out how you want. I'm in the middle of that now. BA is not releasing award space in first out of Miami and hasn't been for a good while. There is no way I am going to pay their ridiculous taxes and fees to fly business with a companion pass. I can't bring myself to waste it on business, especially when the taxes and fess cost the same in either business or first. So, I will likely have to take a positioning flight. I've already got a list of cities, times and flight numbers for BA direct with availability in first so I can quickly change my searches on release day. Oh, and also in case you weren't aware, BA lets you pool your Avios and you can make a household account to combine them if you and DH have separate accounts. Best of luck on your booking day!

Too funny--I lost count of DCL cruises, too. I think I've done 13, but @Calfan can correct me if I'm wrong. NOOOOO about Singapore jammies! I was hoping they were good. I think it was the ANA first ones that were supposed to be really good, too. Just so everyone knows i"m not totally ridiculous, there is an entire thread on flyer talk about pajamas, LOL. (Okay, I'm still ridiculous ).

We were supposed to land on Saint Michael Skellig and be able to walk around. I think we should get a drive-by, and I'll be crossing fingers on a good view day. The Faroes have been #1 on my bucket list for a long long time. It was one of the main reasons we signed up for that DCL cruise--such a bummer when they cancelled. Oh well, it was still obviously a great cruise.

I'm all on the release days. I've been tracking for a while. I have a couple back up plans, including flying out of LAX (short repositioning flight on SWA). Funny you mentioned BA Biz/First award availability with Miami. I've noticed the same thing for SFO (to LHR though). United is even worse. Great tip about having the actual flight numbers. I'll totally do that! There is one "bad" plane that I don't want to get (LAX to Oskaa) on JAL. I have to remind myself of that and there is a small chance that DH might have to book our outward (shudder!!!). I'll be leaving him step-by-step pictograms, LOL.

I love the BA household account feature. Because DD is going to school in England now, we tend to do a lot of their flights as they have ton of relatively cheap economy award tickets available. We go through a lot of Avios!

 

[trenty]

I’ve never received any surveys..just looked and I’m subscribed to receive emails..

I think the information is on the SW site. Under something like "Other ways to earn points." Through the link on SW you join erewards which is an entirely different site. Not sure exactly what I did as it has been a few years. I will see if I can find it.

 

[amalone1013]

Just noticed the Poly on the UR portal for my one night in September I'm booking a Disney hotel. Just thought I'd throw that out there since they weren't showing up again the other day.

 

[trenty]

I’ve never received any surveys..just looked and I’m subscribed to receive emails..

Go to the southwest site - then Rapid Rewards - then on the drop down under Program choose Earning Points. Go to Partners and then Specialty - you should see erewards there.

https://www.southwest.com/html/rapidrewards/partners/specialty/index.html

Looks like they are not enrolling now. But there is a link to get informed when they will open enrollment again.

 

[Albort]

I'm glad I asked, thanks! See, even when I'm confident I know something, I'm wrong.
I hope it comes through in the next few weeks, then. It took almost a month to get a Freedom bonus when my cousin used my link.

ETA: Do you think I'm okay as long as it's listed under points I'll receive on my next statement? As long as it's showing up as pending I should be good to PC?

i think we are wrong... haha.
Source 1
Semi counter DP: Source 1

might be a reddit DA question if no one can answer it here.

 

[peel]

i think we are wrong... haha.
Source 1
Semi counter DP: Source 1

might be a reddit DA question if no one can answer it here.

I'll hold off as long as possible, just to be sure. Thanks for doing the investigative work.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Go to the southwest site - then Rapid Rewards - then on the drop down under Program choose Earning Points. Go to Partners and then Specialty - you should see erewards there.

https://www.southwest.com/html/rapidrewards/partners/specialty/index.html

Looks like they are not enrolling now. But there is a link to get informed when they will open enrollment again.

Thanks..saw that and I’m signed up to receive email...so hopefully I’ll get to enroll soon

 

[gottalovepluto]

Late to the 20% off amazon gift card deal. Is there any way to buy gift cards from Amazon and then convert them to Disney Gift cards?

Will pm you, I don’t want to put it here until I can confirm my idea works